Quitting Smoking is a choice!

[MarilynH]

Choosing to quit smoking is absolutely the best decision that any of us will ever make in our lives and our lives literally depends on us to to choose to quit and to stick to our quits! Yes quitting is definitely difficult and feels almost unbearable at times notice I said almost but if you stop and think about how many decades we smoked then it only stands to reason that it's going to take some time to relearn life without the crutch of cigarettes but it's absolutely Doable and and definitely worth it all to be FREE! 

[YoungAtHeart]

Since I have never experienced it, I wonder if being free of other addictive substances like cocaine, heroine or Rx painkillers  feels as wonderful as being free of nicotine?

I CAN state that being free of nicotine is WONDERFUL and worth the effort to get there!

Keep preaching, Marilyn!

Nancy

[TW517]

This is so true.  One week into my quit, I hurt my knee and went to see an Orthopedic.  The nurse checking me in was going through their form with me, when I stalled on the “Do you smoke” question.  I told her I quit a week ago, and wasn’t sure how they might want me to answer.  Her reply stunned me.  She said if I was like her, I would fail.  Because she had tried every NRT, Wellbutrin, Chantix, vaping and nothing worked for her.  So I should probably answer “Yes”. 

I remember thinking, that’s the difference between me and her.  She was still “trying” to quit and expecting some product to do it for her.  I had “chosen” to quit.  I answered “NO!”.

[MarilynH]

I can tell you Nancy that being also a recovering alcoholic for almost 6 1/2 yrs is also feels absolutely wonderful yay for kicking addiction to the curb yay for Freedom thanks YoungAtHeart it's so worth the effort and time to be FREE! 

[MarilynH]

Yay for you and your awesome ongoing beautiful splendiforous precious quit TW517 you are doing great one precious smoke free day at a time yay for you, congratulations on your glorious smoke free week and counting.

[jbliesmer]

I had a dr visit shortly after too. I didn't get that response. Shame on her for saying that.
I got lots of pats on the back, and "Wow! Good for you!"

[elvan]

TW517  Good for you...that nurse was out of line and I say that as a retired RN...you stick with your quit and say NO, NOT a smoker!  It's a really good feeling.

MarilynH‌ Great blog, as usual.

[ChangoGrande]

I second that!

Eric

[loveanimals]

okay my 17th day without smoking. i am on the patch and go to 2nd step tomorrow.  it feels wonderful to not smoke after some many years.  I am a little concerned about what happens after I stop using the patch but I'm going for it.

[elvan]

Have you done the reading and preparation?  There are lots of things you can do to prepare and there are also many coping mechanisms that you can implement starting now.  Please remember that no matter what you are feeling, smoking won't "FIX" it, it won't help with anything.  It won't take away sadness or physical pain or anger or any emotion you can think of, no crave will ever kill you but no one can tell you the same about cigarettes.  You can do this.  You are likely to have craves with or without the patch, just plan for what you will do instead of smoking.  Celebrate how nice you smell now, what a great example you are to others, celebrate YOU!

Welcome to EX,

Ellen

[Strudel]

Best choice ever! Three years here you come Marilyn! Do you have plans for a cake!? 

[MarilynH]

Probably not a cake but hopefully a lunch Out! Strudel